Laptop around $2500

[_FuSiOnItE_]

I'm looking at getting a laptop for work as I can claim it on tax, but I also want some decent space for movies and also decent graphics so I can play some games as well. Not really looking to spend anything more than about $2500 as I'll be flexirenting it and at that price it's about $26p/w.

First one is the Acer 7720G-602G32Mn. Has 17" screen, C2D T7500 2.2GHz, 2GB RAM, 320GB HDD and comes with the ATi Mobility 2600 (512MB dedicated GDDR2, upto 1264MB shared). This seems like the perfect one, but I'm not so sure on the Acer brand from some of the things I've heard. CPU and GPU are pretty much spot on for what I'd want and it comes with WinXP Pro, which I much rather than Vista.
http://www.acer.com.au/acer/akc/port...8.3&ms=expand&
http://www.acer.com.au/acer/akc/rwpa...-602G32Mn2.pdf

Second is the HP DV9512TX, which I'm not sure is correct or not (From the latest Abacus catalogue, but it doesn't apear on the HP site. Closest is the DV9520TX, but it has slightly different specs). Pretty similar specs to the above laptop, but comes with an Nvidia 8600M GS (256MB Dedicated, upto 1023MB shared), TV tuner and and Vista Ultimate.
http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/au/en...-80243650.html

Both are $2499 (HP one seems to have come down from $2999 from the Abacus catalogue).

So my questions are...

Which would be better for games/movies (2600 vs 8600M GS)?
Which would have better support (Probably HP I'm assuming)?
What do you guys think is the better buy?
Any other laptop suggestions?

Thanks for any help guys .

[haydio]

I highly recommend against Acer, there service is terrible. As far as HP goes I've never had to contact them for anything

[Chris Judd]

Vostro 1500

4gb of ram
C2D T7500 2.2Ghz
250gb Hdd
8600M GT
15.4 (1680x1050)

$2294

Inspiron 1720
same as the above but with 17" 1920x1200 screen + 2nd 160Gb HDD
$2701 ($2297 with T7250 & only 160+160 gb HDD)

[regis169]

Originally Posted by haydio

I highly recommend against Acer, there service is terrible. As far as HP goes I've never had to contact them for anything

Ditto. Go with HP or Vaio.

[Chris Judd]

Originally Posted by regis169

Ditto. Go with HP or Vaio.

My brother has an Acer, so many small problems.

never had a problem with a HP

[Kharn]

You could splash out a bit more and get an apple laptop:

* 15.4-inch display
* 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
* 1440 x 900 resolution
* 2GB memory
* 120GB hard drive1
* 8x double-layer SuperDrive
* NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics with 128MB SDRAM
* 2.45kg

http://www.apple.com/au/macbookpro/

Its a really good laptop, stick Win XP on there as well and you'll play games no trouble. You also get to play around with OSX which with its leopard release will truely awesome. http://www.apple.com/au/macosx/

[cyrax83]

Originally Posted by Kharn

You could splash out a bit more and get an apple laptop:

* 15.4-inch display
* 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
* 1440 x 900 resolution
* 2GB memory
* 120GB hard drive1
* 8x double-layer SuperDrive
* NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics with 128MB SDRAM
* 2.45kg

http://www.apple.com/au/macbookpro/

Its a really good laptop, stick Win XP on there as well and you'll play games no trouble. You also get to play around with OSX which with its leopard release will truely awesome. http://www.apple.com/au/macosx/

great laptop, but for windows isn't it a pain in the ass ?

no windows key + no right click ? And i hear there are some driver issues

[Kharn]

Originally Posted by cyrax83

great laptop, but for windows isn't it a pain in the ass ?

no windows key + no right click ? And i hear there are some driver issues

right click is two fingers on the trackpad and then click the big button(or tapping two fingers). I find it faster than trying to find the little right click button. In windows the apple key functions as the windows key, is just a different symbol on the key. edit: Also i don't think there are any drivers issues anymore, initially the webcam didn't work but they've got a good driver for it now. One of the best thing about apple is the controlled hardware which leads to very few driver problems. They don't have to worry about obscure pieces of hardware causing driver problems.

[darkanjel]

Originally Posted by Kharn

Also i don't think there are any drivers issues anymore, initially the webcam didn't work but they've got a good driver for it now. One of the best thing about apple is the controlled hardware which leads to very few driver problems.

issues in bluetooth in parallels and bootcamp.

also had winlogin.exe issues in our last build.

[Kharn]

Originally Posted by darkanjel

issues in bluetooth in parallels and bootcamp.

also had winlogin.exe issues in our last build.

I only use a bluetooth mouse with mine and it works fine. I haven't heard of this problem before so i'd doubt its widespread.

[booksacool1]

My brothers got the Macbook Pro 2.4ghz/160gb/2gb/256 mb 8600m gt
Its a great machine, not cheap tho. Runs XP very well. Havent found any real driver issues

I'd recommend it if your looking for a portable laptop, but it is pricey. Also watch out for heat issues. 8600m gt is also very fast, got like 4200 3dmark06 overclocked.

Something cheaper, but still plays games -> Dell Vostro 1500.
Same graphics card (8600m gt) but with ddr2 instead of gddr3. somewhat lower clocks, but still very fast. Bit chunky. Much cheaper.

[_FuSiOnItE_]

Thanks for the replies guys.

What do you guys think about 8600M GT vs 2600?

Don't think i'll ever get a MacBook. Just not my kinda laptop. Also not very fond of Sony. Their screens look too small for my liking and i've decided on 17".

Looks like HP is the go unless I can get Dell's through Harvey Norman or Abacus cause they both offer flexirent.

EDIT: Looks like Dell has their own financing option, slightly higher per week, but the XPS M1730 looks mighty tempting with the 8700M GT and WinXP . About $3114 after my own customising.